SAVE THE DRAGON
News – San Luis County Hearing 9/26/2023
After delays during the COVID pandemic, and several legal skirmishes between the parties, the NRWMAC lawsuit has reached a critical turning point. Over a year ago, the local San Luis Obispo County judge in charge of our lawsuit asked the California State Water Resource Control Board to opine about some technical issues that he felt unqualified to rule on.
This state report has been completed and submitted to the judge, and both NRWMAC and Monterey County have filed responses to the court. On September 26, 2023, the judge will consider the report at a court hearing in Paso Robles and decide how, or even if, to use the report information in the lawsuit as it goes forward.
The moment has arrived, folks! NRWMAC needs YOU to show up at this hearing. We want the judge to see that we have tremendous local support! To help us do that, we need respectful people who will be considerate of the judge and the legal process. We encourage you to wear your “Save the Dragon” t-shirt or hat, to show your support for NRWMAC and change at Lake Nacimiento. (In the courtroom, please remove hats.) Note: We DO NOT want belligerent people at this hearing.
Upcoming NRWMAC Lawsuit Hearing Information
Date: Tuesday. September 26, 2023
Time: 9:00 a.m. (Starts promptly, please come a bit early.)
Location: California Superior Court of San Luis Obispo County, Paso Robles Branch
Address: 901 Park Street, Dept. #2, Paso Robles, CA 93446
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Interlake Tunnel Update (EIR) Jan 2023
In-case you didn’t receive it, MCRWA sent out an email Jan 20th notifying “interested parties” that the Interlake Tunnel and Spillway projects Draft Environmental Impact report (EIR) has been released, and that the public review and comment period has started.
The Monterey County Email that was sent out is here.
https://nrwmac.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/MCWRA-Letter-about-Interlake-Tunnel-Spillway-Modification-Draft-EIR-Open-for-Public-Comments.pdf
This diagram from the EIR depicts the layout of the Interlake Tunnel.
Click the image for full size
Monterey County has setup a public review and comment period for the EIR, which will be open from Jan 20th 2023 through March 10 2023, with two public meetings to be held, as well as written comments during this period.
The two meetings will be:
February 1, 2023, 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
Bradley Elementary School,
65600 Dixie Street, Bradley, CA
Webinar:
https://montereycty.zoom.us/j/94949490094pwd=S3gzbXRjL04yUExDS2s0bGJsQkx5dz09
Passcode = 714405; Meeting ID = 949 4949 0094; Phone = +1 669 900 6833 US
and
February 2, 2023, 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
Greenfield City Council Chambers,
599 El Camino Real, Greenfield, CA
Webinar:
https://montereycty.zoom.us/j/99823161437pwd=NXBkNGJDaHRIWGNGTWZNMGd2eUJGQT09
Passcode = 185485; Meeting ID = 998 2316 1437; Phone = +1 669 900 6833 US
The Draft EIR and associated documents will be available on the MCWRA website here:
https://www.co.monterey.ca.us/government/government-links/water-resources-agency/projects-facilities/interlake-tunnel
And these documents are also available on the NRWMAC website, at News about the MC Letter and also at the NRWMAC Knowledge Base:
https://www.nrwmac.org/knowledge-base/
Monterey County Dock Threat
As many of you already know, Monterey County has been sending out letters that state:
“…docks out of the water and below the ‘high water mark’ (800 ft) are still subject to Dock Fees, and that by July 2022 the Agency (Monterey County) will revoke dock licenses that are not renewed. Once revoked the dock owner will need to remove the dock from the reservoir.”
NRWMAC board member Steve Blois requested clarification of the MC dock policy at the Monterey ResOps meeting in March, and again in April, as the above statement from MC does not appear in either dock ordinance 4065 or 5344. Steve also stated that while NRWMAC agrees and supports the vast majority of MC’s dock program, NRWMAC does not agree with the MC position that Ordinance 4065 grants them the authority to collect dock fees on docks that are out of the water and below the high-water mark.
In-fact, Ordinance 4065, Section 4, paragraph (b), which talks about renewal licenses, specifically allows an exemption for “a previously registered dock… that has been left high and dry and is not refloated until after April 1”. If that language is not clear enough, the following sentence states “Renewal is not required during any year in which the dock remains out of the water for the entire licensing year.”
There is no mention of ‘high-water mark’ anywhere in the renewal section of the ordinance. Any reasonable reading of the above language can only be interpreted to allow the deferral of dock renewal fees if the dock is not floating for the entire licensing year.
NRWMAC has officially responded to Monterey County regarding this issue, and our response is posted here:
https://nrwmac.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/NRWMAC-Response-re-Dock-Fees-050422-.pdf
Both MC Dock Ordinance 4065 and amendment 5344 can be seen here:
https://nrwmac.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/MC_Dock_Ordinance_No_4065.pdf
https://nrwmac.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/MC_Dock_Ordinance_No_5344_amendments_to_Ord_4065.pdf
More dock information can be found at the NRWMAC Knowledge Base here, under MCWRA Dock Fees:
https://nrwmac.org/knowledge-base/
NRWMAC vs Monterey County
NRWMAC continues litigation against Monterey County and the agencies that mismanage Lake Nacimiento and their continued push against the recreational rights on the lake and area.
A portion of the lawsuit has been referred to the State Water board to determine if Monterey County exceeded their yearly release quota, which NRWMAC asserts based on their published releases for at least one past year. Once that portion of the lawsuit is settled, the suit returns to the San Luis Obispo Superior court for the breach of contract portion of the lawsuit.
In April NRWMAC and attorneys attended the first referral proceeding which basically outlined how the proceedings will go forward with the State Water Board, getting all parties known and the initial discussions. More hearings are set for May and June and we shall provide all information we can as it becomes known.
We Need Your Support
Shortly, we will be back in court fighting the major battle with Monterey. It’s very costly to fund our hardworking legal team. Now more than ever, we need you to support NRWMAC’s efforts on your behalf. We urgently need an influx of dollar donations at this time.
The links below will take you directly to GoFundMe or PayPal Private Donation sites to conveniently make a donation. If you prefer to write a check, please make it out to NRWMAC and mail to: NRWMAC, PO BOX 398, Paso Robles, CA 93447
GoFundMe:
www.gofundme.com/lake-nacimiento-save-the-dragon
Private donations:
www.nrwmac.org/save-the-dragon/donate-today
1The lawsuit can be viewed in its entirety here: www.nrwmac.org/knowledge-base
2A NRWMAC representative attends all the Monterey County Reservoir Operations Committee meetings (“RESOPS”) to ensure that its constituents’ voices are heard. (NRWMAC has a seat on the RESOPS board as a result of a prior lawsuit against Monterey County.) Members of the NRWMAC Board of Directors conduct outreach meetings and have participated in media interviews in order to apprise the public of developments concerning the lake. And it has filed lawsuits and complaints with state regulatory agencies to protect the lake and its constituents.]
Thank you for your continued support.
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– Links to more documents and the NRWMAC Legal Actions can be found here : NRWMAC Knowledge Base